On Tuesday, the Delhi Directorate of Education (DoE) issued a directive to the heads of National Institutes of Open Schooling (NIOS) to ensure the provision of quality education and a supportive learning environment for students. The DoE emphasized that NIOS centres must offer essential facilities such as libraries, computer labs, physical education, and remedial classes for struggling students. The directive also stresses the importance of regular assessments, morning assemblies, and strict monitoring of student attendance, with timely actions against absenteeism.
Key Requirements for NIOS Centres
In the circular, the DoE outlined several key measures to enhance the educational experience at NIOS centres. One of the primary directives was ensuring that study centres provide basic facilities necessary for a well-rounded education. This includes establishing libraries and computer labs for academic growth, offering physical education classes to promote holistic development, and organizing remedial classes to assist students facing difficulties with the curriculum.
Additionally, the DoE stressed the need for regular attendance checks at these centres. The heads of NIOS centres are instructed to ensure that students attend morning assemblies and that absenteeism is regularly monitored. If students miss school repeatedly, parents should be informed, and corrective action should be taken to address the issue.
Accountability of Teachers and Student Progress Monitoring
To foster an environment of achievement, NIOS centres have been instructed to display student progress reports on notice boards to celebrate academic accomplishments. Certificates for perfect attendance and academic excellence will be awarded to students to encourage motivation and performance. The circular also highlights the importance of teacher accountability. Teachers must ensure that student performance improves, or face potential termination of services. In case of underperformance, an official warning (SCN) will be issued, and the teacher’s services may be terminated if there is no improvement.
Ensuring Infrastructure and Class Schedules
Further, the DoE has called on the NIOS centres to ensure that class schedules are adhered to, with adequate infrastructure and clean facilities maintained at all times. In situations where guest teachers are unavailable, regular school faculty should be assigned to teach NIOS students for a minimum of three periods per week, ensuring consistent learning experiences across all centres.
NIOS Centres Serving Thousands of Students
The NIOS Project Branch currently operates 75 study centres, catering to 7,794 students for the 2024-25 academic session. The DoE’s directive aims to enhance the learning environment for these students, ensuring they receive a high-quality education, despite the unique challenges of open schooling.
By implementing these measures, the Delhi Directorate of Education aims to improve both the infrastructure and quality of education at NIOS centres, ensuring that students receive the necessary support and resources to succeed academically.
